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A nun suffered from illness, presenting with aversion to wind (fear of drafts), physical fatigue, alternating chills and fever (symptoms occurring in turns), flushed face, irritability, and occasional sweating. Other physicians treated it as Taiyang disease (disease affecting the Taiyang meridian) or warm malaria. Observing her alternating chills and fever, and noting that an epidemic was prevalent at the time, they administered a mixture of Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction). After several days, the condition worsened significantly. Upon examination, I stated: "The pulse in both hands is not constrained by pathogenic factors, indicating Jueyin disease (disease affecting the Jueyin meridian); the pulse is wiry and long, extending upward to the Yuji area (the fleshy part at the base of the thumb). This is not Taiyang disease, but rather Yin qi activating without Yang qi to restrain it." This case parallels one treated by the ancient physician Cang Gong for a embroiderer girl. I prescribed Yin-yang suppressing medications, and she recovered after several days.

Commentary states: In the past, Chu Cheng remarked that special prescriptions should be formulated for nuns and widows, which was intentional. Nuns and widows live in isolation and frustration, possessing only Yin without Yang. Their desires frequently arise but remain unfulfilled, causing Yin and Yang to contend with each other. This results in alternating chills and fever, deficiency sweating, and fatigue, closely resembling warm malaria. Over time, this may develop into Laozai (chronic consumptive disease). I recall from historical records in the *Biographies of Master Cang* that the embroiderer maid of King Jibei suffered from chills and heat in the waist and back. Most physicians diagnosed it as ordinary chills and heat. Master Cang said, "This illness arises from desiring a man but being unable to obtain one." How did he know? By diagnosing her pulse, he found the Liver pulse wiry and extending beyond the Cun Kou (inch position). Thus, he identified the cause. Men are primarily governed by Jing (essence), while women are primarily governed by Blood. When men's essence is discharged, they crave sexual intercourse; when women's blood is abundant, they desire conception. The Liver stores blood. Now, the Liver pulse is wiry and long, exceeding the Cun Kou and reaching the Yuji area, which indicates abundant blood and a desire for a male partner. Therefore, treating nuns and widows must not be approached in the same manner as treating ordinary women.

A local man named Qin contracted Taiyang disease, presenting with fever, body pain, joint pain, aversion to wind, and absence of sweating. Someone advised him not to take medicine and to wait for spontaneous recovery. This continued for half a month, yet the illness persisted. Reluctantly, he summoned a physician. The physician asked about the duration of the illness but failed to carefully examine the pulse and external symptoms, stating only that the critical period had passed and that diaphoresis (sweating therapy) or purgation were contraindicated. He provided Qi-regulating herbs to support healthy Qi, then referred the patient to me. I examined his pulse, finding it floating, choppy, tight, and large. This was undoubtedly a Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) pattern. However, I feared that because diaphoresis was indicated but not performed, it might transform into Xuebi (epistaxis/nosebleed). Indeed, before I finished speaking, epistaxis occurred. I urgently administered Mahuang Tang, followed by Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction). The bleeding stopped, sweat appeared, and he recovered.

Commentary states: Zhang Zhongjing stated that when preparing herbal decoctions, one should not avoid morning or night. As soon as illness is detected, treatment should begin immediately, regardless of time, facilitating easier recovery. If delayed slightly, the pathogen may transmit and change, making eradification difficult. Current physicians fail to investigate the root cause, adhering rigidly to fixed rules—insisting on diaphoresis within four days and purgation after four days. They do not realize this is misleading. It is also said, "If one takes no medicine for an illness, one still receives care equivalent to a mediocre physician"; this applies only when no doctor is available. If urination and defecation are obstructed, must one wait for spontaneous resolution? Generally, if both upper and lower orifices are blocked, abdominal distension in the lower jiao will occur, leading to death within days. Furthermore, conditions such as Jie Xiong (chest binding), Xu Xue (blood accumulation), mania, and macules have never resolved without medication. The wise understand adaptability, while the foolish remain stubborn, bringing disaster upon themselves. Treatment must be initiated early based on the depth of the disease, whether in the exterior or interior, Yin or Yang, akin to extinguishing a fire or rescuing someone from drowning, so that recovery is likely. The *Su Wen* states that evil winds arrive swiftly like wind and rain. Therefore, skilled physicians treat at the skin and hair level first, then muscle and skin, then sinews and vessels, then the Six Fu organs, and finally the Five Zang organs. Treating diseases of the Five Zang organs results in half dying and half surviving. Bian Que fled from Duke Huan of Qi; this is precisely what is meant.